Flowerpot Bruce Langridge

Bruce Langridge chats to Bath University's Remy Wood who spent a placement year at the National Botanic Garden of Wales.

He talks about his experiences of working with horticulturists, educators and scientists, as well as the perils of seed collecting while wearing shorts.

The new Director of the National Botanic Garden of Wales, Dr. Lucy Sutherland, provides a fascinating perspective on the changing role of botanic gardens across the world

Environmental sound artist Cheryl Beer talks to Bruce Langridge about how her overnight hearing loss led her to listen to trees. Using sound recording from the 5 fragile pockets of Celtic Rainforest left in Wales, Cheryl created Cân y Coed / Song of the Trees Rainforest Symphony.

Hear a sample of this work and listen to Cheryl’s observations about how loud noises can affect the ecology of these ancient woodlands.

Bruce Langridge discusses how artists can help Botanic Garden visitors create an emotional connection with plants. He is joined by multidisciplinary artist Caroline Vitzthum who has been examining the Sphagnum moss collection of the National Botanic Garden of Wales. The episode ends with a piece of music by John Howes based on the DNA barcode of the Welsh Poppy. 

Bruce Langridge chats to Patrick Daniell about his support for the Horticultural Apprentice Scheme at the National Botanic Garden of Wales. Patrick talks about his motivations for setting up the scheme, his rich connection to Wales, how he developed a love for gardening and his hopes for the future of the apprentice scheme. 

Bruce Langridge chats to National Botanic Garden of Wales horticulturist Carly Green. They talk about the ethics of using the term 'native plants' and Carly's skills in growing wild Welsh plants, including one of the rarest plants on Earth, the Welsh cotoneaster.  Carly highlights the benefits of having been the Garden's first horticultural apprentice and how the whole Welsh wildflower collection is being moved to a more prominent display area.